Composition-board.



106. COMPOSITIONS,

COATING OR PLASTIC.

UNITED STATES PATEN T OFFICE.

JOHANN FERLA. OF ST. GEORGE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-FOT'RTH TO ("HARLES 1.. PARMELEE, OF ORANGE, NEW JERSEY.

COMPOSITION-B OARD.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHANN FERLA, a citizen of Switzerland, residing in St. George, county of Richmond, and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Composition-Boards, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to composition boards and has for its obiect the production of a composition board which can be used as a substitute for wood, be worked with the same tools, be water-proof, fire-proof, acidproof, and possess a high degree of electrical non-conductivity.

The invention also contemplates the production of a composition board which can be manufactured at low cost and which is characterized by great strength and durability.

The composition boards constructed according to the present invention are com-' posed of Portland cement, hemp, asbestos, acetic acid, liquid glue, coloring matter in suificient quantity.

In producing the composition board, the asbestos and hem a are first cut and crushed into very sma and fine pieces, almost to a powder, by means of special cutting ma chinery and a revolving crusher, after which these ingredients are mixed with cement and colorin matter in the dry state. mixing a rotary machine or revolving kettle is preferably employed. asbestos, hemp and coloring matter is then transferred to another mixer, where the necessary quantities of acetic acid li uid 'lue 5 and water are added. The quantity ol water a et at this stage is sufiicient to moisten the ingredients thoroughly and form a pasty mass. The mixture, which now contains all the ingredients of the composition board, is transferred to a large tank provided with an agitator to prevent the solid material from settling or becoming hardened. From this tank the paste is transferred to a canal where an excess of water is added to make the material flow freely. From this canal the paste flows into tanks of different size with outlets designed to permit the passage of the material in precisely the required quantity for certain thicknesses.

The formation of the composition board from the highly fluid mixture in the tank is effected by allowing the material to flow on a moving or revolving metallic web to allow Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 8. 1906, Serial No. 333.805.

Patented Jan. 12, 1909.

Renewed April 1, 1908. Serial No. 424.538.

the excess water to drain through the web, which is preferably wire-cloth of suitable mesh; then the material is passed on to an endless strip of felt passing between adjustable rollers. The rollers gage the thickness of the sheet of composition board and the felt serves to absorb a considerable portion of the water remaining in the mixture. Upon the felt the material becomes sufiiciently hard to be handled, and as itpasses from the felt it is cut by any suitable cutting mechanism into sheets of the desired dimensions. These sheets of material are then carried to a powerful hydraulic press, where they are piled one upon another in such press as the capacity of the press allows. Each superposed layer is separated from the others by interposed )ieces of sheet iron or steel, as otherwire the layers would all unite under pressure to form a single mass.

The present operation is carried on in a vacuum, the pressure chamber being hermetically sealed at the beginning of the operation and being connected with two suction umps, one at the top and the other at the ottom of the chamber. The former pump removes air from the aressure chamber and from the material in the press, and the j latter serves principally to remove the water or this The dry mixture of from the material. In this manner sheets of composition board are produced which are thoroughly homogeneous and entirely free 1 from air-holes or pores.

Before the material is allowed to dry and immediately after leaving the hydraulic press, it may be pressed by means of dies into any fancy design or shape or may be cut into ornamental patterns by means of suitable cutters. The material is then allowed to dry for seventy-two hours and is then dipped for a few seconds into water and allowed to dry again. This final dipping into water and subsequent drying afppears to have the effect of forming a supei cial film upon the material, which is absolutely impervious to water.

The composition boards produced of the materials and according to the method above set forth is firm, solid, of great strength, firc-, Waterand acidproof, excellent insulating material and absolutely free from warping. It may, however, be worked in precisely the same manner that wood is worked and without injury to ordinary wood-working tools.

Examiner.

Having thus described my invention, what 3. A composition of matter comprising in 10 I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters its composition Portland cement, asbestos, Patent is: hemp, acetic acid, and liquid glue.

1. A composition of matter comprising in In testimony whereof, I have signed my its composition Portland cement, mineral name in the presence of two witnesses.

fiber, glue, and an acid solvent for glue. JOHAXX FERLA.

2. A composition of matter comprising in Witnesses: its composition Portland cement, mineral V11. BRADFORD, fiber, acetic acid, and glue. GILBERT GANXOX. 

